TEDx Luton bringing community voices to the world
A special event is coming to Luton this April, with the town’s community voices given a global platform to speak about second chances.
Luton Library Theatre will host TEDx Luton, organised by Victoria Mongi, on April 15, for a series of talks by people from Luton.
Victoria, a traffic officer, has lived in the town for more than 20 years and applied for the TEDx license last year, with the goal to inspire change in the community.
The 43-year-old said: “I’ve just been someone that’s really been concerned about the betterment of Luton… What can I do as someone in the community, raising my children here, living here?”
The lineup includes 10 speakers and three performers, covering topics including AI, STEM, fashion, homelessness, men’s mental health, and filmmaking – with all the talks tied to the theme of second chances.
Tim Hayden from the theatre said: “The Luton Library Theatre were thrilled to be selected as the host venue for the first ever TEDx Luton.
“We are very proud of our lovely venue and know that the TEDx event will fit so well into our space.
“Luton Creative Community saved the theatre from closure, with a mantra of 'run by the community, for the community ', and TEDx is the perfect event for us. "Second Chances" is just as true for the theatre as it is for our speakers.”
Luton’s Deadpool, Wade Wilson, is one of those speaking about his live experiences on the stage.
He will open up about mental health, masculinity, and coping strategies, drawing on his personal journey growing up in Luton.
He said: “If I can do it, why can’t everyone else?… This is something that any person that’s born and bred here can aspire to.
“I wear the badge of Luton as a badge of honor. I’m incredibly proud to be from this town… my story was forged in failure and in pain… a lot of my success comes from being in Luton as well.”
Victoria hopes the event leaves people inspired and ready to face the town’s challenges head on: “If it takes bringing TEDx, the global platform, to Luton for us to believe in ourselves again, then so be it.”